STORIED RACER: The Weed Chevrolet and Tony Pizzi 1969 Camaro Z/28
December 15, 2020
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by Eric Becker
Once campaigned by Weed Chevrolet and Tony Pizzi, this special-pedigree 1969 Camaro Z/28 will be selling with No Reserve at the 2021 Scottsdale Auction.
There are some Camaros that stand out above the rest, and this 1969 Z/28 is one of them. Most know the Camaro Z/28 as Chevy’s track star, a homologation special built to compete against its Detroit rivals in what many consider to be the golden era of the SCCA Trans Am series. It was a faster and meaner pony car, a car that ruled the Trans Am circuit and propelled Mark Donahue and the Penske team to back-to-back championships. But this 1969 Camaro Z/28 is different; it has a racing legacy all its own and is one of the most storied and well-documented Camaros in existence. And, come the 2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, this legendary racer will cross the block with No Reserve.
The Camaro back in its racing days.
Let’s start from the beginning. On May 12, 1969, this white-striped Rally Green-over-black Camaro Z/28 left Chevrolet’s Norwood, Ohio, assembly plant. On June 9, the car was delivered to Weed Chevrolet in Bristol, Pennsylvania. There it would be introduced to its first owner, Weed Chevrolet mechanic Americo A. Liberatore Jr. The car was driven a total of 469 miles before the need for speed and desire to go racing kicked in. Set up for battle in the quarter-mile, the mean green Camaro would earn its stripes competing in the NHRA’s Stock Eliminator Class, quickly becoming a legend in the drag racing world. By 1970, Liberatore Jr. would partner with the highly successful and well-known racer Tony Pizzi.
As the Camaro grew more successful at the drag strip, the decision was made to step things up and enter the highly competitive B/Stock category. Though powerful, the Z/28’s high-revving 302ci V8 lacked the needed torque to be competitive. A new engine, specially prepped by Tony Pizzi Automotive, would find its way under the Z28’s cowl hood. The original DZ302 V8 was replaced by the larger/torquier 396ci L78 powerplant. From there, the Camaro would carve out its own pillar of success, developing a reputation as one of the fastest B/Stock Camaros in the United States. By 1971 the car campaigned by Weed Chevrolet and Tony Pizzi Automotive would find itself duking it out in the finals of what some consider the “Super Bowl of drag racing,” the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
The Camaro became so successful in its racing efforts that it became a favorite of the motoring press and would grace the pages of the April 1972 issue of Super Stock and Drag Illustrated magazine. The Z/28 eventually retired from racing in 1974, and would sit in Liberatore Jr.’s garage until September 2018. In the hands of the second owner, the Camaro underwent a concours-quality rotisserie restoration that was completed in the early stages of 2020. The body retains most of the original sheet metal, though the rear quarters were replaced because of the modifications that had been made for racing. The car was beautifully finished in its original color of Rally Green with white racing stripes. Additionally, the period racing livery was re-created with magnetic decals for those wishing to journey back in time.
The car sits on new Firestone Sport Car 200 E70-15 4-ply tires and retains most of the original interior, including the dashboard, gauges, steering wheel, seats, seat belts and spare wheel. Only the door panels and carpeting were replaced. As for the powertrain, the original matching-numbers DZ302 V8 was completely rebuilt and reunited with the original M21 4-speed manual transmission. Additionally, the car was certified by Camaro expert Jerry MacNeish on May 21, 2020. The car comes with its NCRS Shipping Data Report, original Protect-O-Plate, original Weed Chevrolet dealer key chain, original owner’s “Statement Under Oath” report, Super Stock and Drag Illustrated April 1972 magazine, Jerry MacNeish’s report, miscellaneous original parts and show boards.
With just 483 original street miles, this special-pedigree Camaro is a boon for collectors and muscle car lovers of all stripes. Don’t miss your chance to slide behind the wheel of a racing legend.